When I think of Colombia, images of the Amazon, fresh tropical fruits, and of course, coffee come to mind. Cities like Cartagena and Bogotá often steal the spotlight, but let’s not forget about Medellín. Situated about 5,000 feet above sea level, Medellín, Columbia enjoys an enviable climate, always hovering between 63 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit, which has earned it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring.” Once infamous for its association with drug cartels, Medellín is now shedding that reputation and has transformed into one of the best places to visit in Colombia.
With a mix of modern luxury hotels, lush flower farms, and buzzing cultural scene, this city is quickly becoming one of the most exciting destinations in South America. Here’s everything you need to know in our ultimate Medellín travel guide.
Where to stay
There are a number of wonderful neighborhoods to explore in Medellín. To find the best place to stay in is to choose between the various barrios, likely between the La Laureles and Poblado larger districts.
With over 300 neighborhoods to choose from, visitors should start with the handful where most expats and visitors begin. These include, but are not limited to Central Laureles, Northeastern Laureles, Central Poblado, Lower Poblado, and La Florida, Poblado.
Marquee Medellín
Here’s all the Marquee has to offer: Panoramic views of the city, soothing dark brown walls under a warm light color scheme that brings out a stunning collision of modern chic and Old World charm in a snappy downstairs bar. On the rooftop is the requisite sleek outdoor swimming pool and view out over Medellín. And when you’re ready to feast, head to the Marquee Restaurant for a solid selection of Colombian chef-designed meals.
The Marquee is situated in the heart of Parque Lleras and the crowded, popular El Poblado neighborhood. International flights to Medellín land at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), which is situated in the city of Rionegro, approximately 13.5 miles east of the Marquee Medellín.
Terra Biohotel
How about contributing a positive impact to your environmental stamp on Medellín in a hotel designed for comfort and sustainability? The Terra Biohotel instituted an intelligent use of resources to create a pleasant environment where you and the planet can breathe more comfortably.
From lush vertical gardens to solar-powered heating, you won’t find a more eco-friendly hotel in Medellín. Ask for one of the upper-floor rooms, and you can look down from your balcony to the city’s spectacular spread. And head out from Terra to the tree-lined Conquistadores neighborhood, one of the Medellín city center’s greener spots, with iconic Nutibara Hill just a couple of blocks away. Terra Biohotel sits 15 miles east of the José María Córdova International Airport.
The Click Clack Hotel Medellín
Enjoy a luxurious experience at The Click Clack Hotel Medellín, a 5-star property situated in the hip Provenza neighborhood. The hotel features elegant, modern guest rooms with black accent walls and mood lighting throughout. Each room comes with a fully stocked minibar and blackout curtains so you can get your beauty sleep regardless of the time of day or night.
Beyond the rooms, you can enjoy a free breakfast, rooftop terrace with a bar and pool, 24-hour security, and easy transportation to the airport.
What to eat
No Medellín, Columbia travel guide would be complete without food recommendations. There are plenty of fruit and veggies, Paisa, food from the Antioquia region (of which Medellín is the capital), is heavy and laden with meats, sausage, beans, eggs, and rice. It’s not nearly as spicy as you’ll find food in Mexico to be and there’s also plenty of sweet to go along with the savory, combining to create a pleasant combo.
- “$” = inexpensive
- “$$”= average
- “$$$”= expensive
Carmen
At Carmen, you’ll get to try innovative Colombian cuisine in a lush setting lined with plants & trees. Accolade after accolade assures that gastronomes need to find their way to Carmen.
Run by an American-Colombian couple (both Cordon Bleu chefs), Carmen’s menu melds Colombian flavors with a strong Californian influence. Revel in innovative meat and flavor combos like tamarind pork belly or in fresh fish swimming in sweet sauce.
At Carmen, diners have various eating areas to choose from. An elegant, naturally lit dining room overlooks an open kitchen and greenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Step outside of this 1950s retro ambiance into the verdant garden to dine in the conservatory.
- Best for lunch and dinner
- $$$
Ocio
For a more Continental take on typical Colombian food in El Poblado, you can’t miss Ocio. Modern European influences give old school Colombian dishes new life. influences such as the amazing Chicharron.
Parisian trained chef Laura Londoño partners with her husband Santiago Arango to bring fresh-picked, slow-cooked delights like pork belly salad, beef braised for 12 hours, and irresistible ‘Tres Leches’ for dessert.
The cherry on top? There are 1980s tunes always overhead and a select wine and cocktail list in front to enjoy a meal with no pretense.
- Best for dinner
- $$
Elcielo
Located inside the Elcielo Hotel, Elciolo Medellín is one of the city’s top dining destinations. More than just a meal, Elcielo offers “The Experience,” a 17-course tasting menu designed to engage all your senses. Inspired by ancestral Colombian and Latin American flavors, along with neuroscience studies, each dish is carefully crafted to create a memorable sensory journey.
For an extra special touch, sit near the kitchen to watch the chefs at work, turning every plate into an art form. Known as one of the most famous restaurants in Medellín, it’s highly recommended to make reservations well in advance.
- Best for dinner and drinks
- $$$
What to do
The city abounds with parks, public spaces, cafes, libraries, museums, and walking the vibrant streets, much of it accessible by outdoor escalators and public cable cars. In the City of Eternal Spring, flowers have their own fairs, colors and art abound amidst a green space that leads up to forests dotted by small village life and surrounding nature reserves.
Enjoy the café culture
Though Colombia is the best place in the world to to grow coffee, it was difficult to find a cup of Colombian coffee in Medellín a decade ago. Most of the country’s best coffee has been exported, so until a few years ago, most Colombians didn’t actually drink their own homegrown brew. This, however, is now changing for the better and you can find some fantastic local coffee in the city.
This couldn’t be more true than the endearing Café Aroma del Barrio. The heart of the infamous Comuna 13 neighborhood was once a no-go zone but now has turned into an artistic and entrepreneurial hub. Here at the Aroma del Barrio, the baristas here know how to whip up some of the best cappuccinos, limonada de coco (coconut limeade), and other quality coffee drinks Medellín has to offer. The tiny places numerous local and international visitors, a list which includes former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Explore Parque Arvi
Looking to fly in Medellín (or at least be carted up a steep green mountain flank)?
Parque Arvi is worth a visit to get the flavor of the outdoors surrounding the springtime city. Take the gondola right from the subway to the park’s entrance and get a wonderful vista of the city’s hills, descending valleys, and cityscape.
Parque Arvi spans 16,000 hectares and includes over 1,500-year-old trails. At the park entrance, you can stop in for supplies at a small market and use the place as a launching place for a self-guided or tour-guided walk. It costs 5,000 to 7,000 Colombian pesos ($1.50-$2.25) depending on the trail (most trails are 2-4km long).
Visit dozens of different bird and butterfly species along the way.
How to save money on your trip
First, a word: You do need to take care in Colombia as it is the gateway between two continents. This means opportunity for crime as people and goods flow through maybe the most biodiverse nation in the world. Medellín is like most other places: Be mindful of where you go, what you do, and where you stay.
That being said, saving money in Medellín is as easy as traveling there. The American dollar goes very far compared to Colombian pesos. Be mindful of that when deciding on where to spend your money. If you can have an incredible time and contribute to the local economy, all the better.
Experiences
Medellín is large, so you’ll find the need for transportation to many places in this Medellín travel guide. Taxis and semi-legal Uber rides will cost you, but when you get to your destination, there’s often plenty to be experienced around you. Save money by taking a walking tour of any of the neighborhoods. There’s no shortage of free or cheap tours.
Real City Walking Tours, for example, offers an excellent free tour and an informative introduction to the city. You’ll get a lot of good tips, and the guides are great people. Be sure to tip when the tour wraps up!
Hotels
Selina Medellín sits in the heart of the hip Provenza neighborhood and is surrounded by culinary hotspots, buzzing bars, and authentic coffee shops. Selina Hostel is not the cheapest, but it is the perfect location from which to launch your Medellín adventure. There’s a range of accommodations options to suit every travel budget. Included are coworking space, a nice bar and cafe, a wellness area to practice yoga, and even a rooftop music studio.
This curated programming stretches into art, photography, and cooking alongside a melting pot of people from around the world. You can even dance away long evenings with local DJs spinning electronic music late into the night.
Vehicle rentals
Localiza has some of the best deals as the most reputable local agency, renting cars for about $30/day. Others like Alamo and Enterprise are also available.
